Torker Tristar Hybrid Review

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Torker Tristar Hybrid Electric Trike Review
Torker Tristar Hybrid
Torker Tristar Hybrid 250 Watt Protanium Geared Hub Motor
Torker Tristar Hybrid Rear Mount Battery Keyed On Off Switch
Torker Tristar Hybrid Riser Bars Led Display Throttle
Torker Tristar Hybrid Ergonomic Grips Artek Brake With Motor Inhibitor
Torker Tristar Hybrid Steel Chain Guard
Torker Tristar Hybrid Rigid Steel Fork Promax Linear Pull Brakes
Torker Tristar Hybrid Sturmey Archer Three Speed Internally Geared Hub
Torker Tristar Hybrid Xlc Oversized Comfort Saddle
Torker Tristar Hybrid Steel Mesh Cargo Basket
Torker Tristar Hybrid Protanium Battery And Charger
Torker Tristar Hybrid Electric Trike Review
Torker Tristar Hybrid
Torker Tristar Hybrid 250 Watt Protanium Geared Hub Motor
Torker Tristar Hybrid Rear Mount Battery Keyed On Off Switch
Torker Tristar Hybrid Riser Bars Led Display Throttle
Torker Tristar Hybrid Ergonomic Grips Artek Brake With Motor Inhibitor
Torker Tristar Hybrid Steel Chain Guard
Torker Tristar Hybrid Rigid Steel Fork Promax Linear Pull Brakes
Torker Tristar Hybrid Sturmey Archer Three Speed Internally Geared Hub
Torker Tristar Hybrid Xlc Oversized Comfort Saddle
Torker Tristar Hybrid Steel Mesh Cargo Basket
Torker Tristar Hybrid Protanium Battery And Charger

Summary

  • A low speed 15 mph electric tricycle with easy to mount step-thru frame, an oversized sprung saddle for comfort and high-rise bars for relaxed riding
  • Smaller 20" rear wheels lower the cargo basket making it easier to load and keeping weight balanced for riding
  • The 250 watt front hub motor is small and efficient but not especially powerful, the 266 amp hour battery pack is also on the small side which limits range to 10 to 15 miles
  • No longer being produced as of 2012 but you may still spot this at ebike stores as leftover inventory or possibly at a garage sale used

Video Review

Introduction

Make:

Torker

Model:

Tristar Hybrid

Price:

$1,799

Body Position:

Upright Relaxed

Suggested Use:

Neighborhood

Electric Bike Class:

Throttle on Demand (Class 2)
Learn more about Ebike classes

Warranty:

1 Year Comprehensive, Lifetime Frame (For Original Owner)

Availability:

United States

Model Year:

2009201020112012

Bicycle Details

Total Weight:

81 lbs (36.74 kg)

Battery Weight:

5.5 lbs (2.49 kg)

Frame Material:

Steel

Frame Sizes:

18 in (45.72 cm)

Geometry Measurements:

14" Stand Over Height, 18" Seat Tube, 23" Reach, 69" Length, 30" Width

Frame Types:

Step-Thru

Frame Colors:

Gloss Blue with Silver Accents, Gloss Red

Frame Fork Details:

Rigid Steel Unicrown

Frame Rear Details:

Solid Axle

Attachment Points:

Rear Basket Bosses, Fender Bosses

Gearing Details:

3 Speed 1x3 Sturmey Archer SRC 3 (II), Internally Geared Hub

Shifter Details:

Sturmey Archer Half-Grip Twist Shifter on Right

Cranks:

Forged 165 Alloy Cranks, 36 Tooth Chainring

Pedals:

Wellgo K20 Plastic Platform with Rubber Tread

Headset:

Threaded

Stem:

One Piece Gooseneck

Handlebar:

High Rise, Steel

Brake Details:

Promax Mechanical Linear Pull Front Brake with Artek Lever with Motor Inhibitor, Coaster Brake (Back Pedal) Rear Brakes

Grips:

Ergonomic Rubber

Saddle:

XLC Oversized, Sprung

Seat Post:

Chromoly Steel, Tapered Top

Seat Post Length:

300 mm

Seat Post Diameter:

28.6 mm

Rims:

Aluminum Alloy

Spokes:

Stainless Steel, 13G Front and 14G Rear

Tire Brand:

Innova, 24" x 1.75" Front, 20" x 2.125" Rear

Wheel Sizes:

24 in (60.96cm)20 in (50.8cm)

Tire Details:

40 to 65 PSI Front, 35 PSI Rear

Tube Details:

Schrader Valve

Accessories:

Chromoly Steel Front Fender, Color Matched Steel Chain Guard, Steel Mesh Cargo Basket with Flag Mount Cylinder

Other:

Locking Removable Battery Pack, 2.7 Amp Charger 0.8 lbs,

Electronic Details

Motor Brand:

Protanium AXI

Motor Type:

Rear-Mounted Geared Hub
Learn more about Ebike motors

Motor Nominal Output:

250 watts

Battery Brand:

Protanium, BP-L2410SH1

Battery Voltage:

26.6 volts

Battery Amp Hours:

10 ah

Battery Watt Hours:

266 wh

Battery Chemistry:

Lithium Ion Polymer

Charge Time:

5 hours

Estimated Min Range:

10 miles (16 km)

Estimated Max Range:

25 miles (40 km)

Display Type:

Fixed LED Console

Readouts:

Charge Level (4 Green Dots)

Drive Mode:

Trigger Throttle, Cadence Sensing Pedal Assist (5 Magnet Pedelec Sensor)

Top Speed:

15 mph (24 kph)

Written Review

The Torker Tristar Hybrid is an electric trike that’s perfect for neighborhood riding at low speed and possibly running short errands thanks to its steel-mesh cargo bin. Unlike most ebikes I test and review in the US, the Tristar maxes out between 13 and 15 miles per hour depending on how much you’re contributing as a rider. The model I tested had a three speed internally geared hub which was nice for starting and climbing but then enabled me to pedal more comfortably as the speed climbed. The reason most e-trikes don’t go 20 mph (or faster) is because they can be easier to tip… you can’t lean into turns like a normal bicycle but on the flip side they are easier to mount and just sit on which is perfect for people who are moving slow and might not have reliable balance and strength.

I love that the Torker Tristar comes with a steel front fender and that there are mounting plates near the rear dropouts to add two rear fenders… even though water from those wheels probably won’t hit you as much as it would on a traditional bicycle. The step-thru frame makes this electric trike easy to mount and maneuver by foot even before you begin riding. The high-rise bars are swept back almost like cruiser bars making them easy to reach and use (while keeping your head up and alert to scan for incoming traffic and other pedestrians or riders). You get ergonomic grips, practical plastic platform pedals and again… the saddle is very comfortable. I have seen other ebikes with back rests connected to their saddles and that’s not the case here but you might be able to add one after-market like this saddle with back rest by Sunlite.

Some of the things I wish were more refined here are the way the battery pack mounts (it kind of got stuck for me and required me to bend way down and pull to get it off). Not only is the battery difficult to put on and take off… you have to take it off each time you’re done riding to charge it. The charger is super light weight at less than a pound and you could toss it in the basket for safe keeping but I wish you could plug it in more easily. The front brake works pretty well and has a motor inhibitor (which shuts off the motor as you brake) but it took me a bit of riding to get used to the rear brakes which are “roller style” meaning you pedal backwards for half a stroke to lock them up. It reminded me of riding my single speed Huffy as a kid and they worked alright when I raised the saddle and could pedal more easily. Not all Tristar models have the three gears but I believe they all have this back-pedal braking design. I would like to have more motor power for climbing and moving myself, the ~81 pound bike and a load of cargo and a larger battery would be nice as well. I’m not sure if this is the case with all models or just the one I tested but I had to pedal to activate a five magnet cadence sensor and push the trigger throttle to make the bike go. I expected to have throttle-only power and was bummed to have to start the bike on my own power with my legs before the motor would activate. I suppose this could be chalked up to being a safety feature and it definitely extends range but for me one of the major benefits of electric bikes is to not have to strain so much. At under $2k this could be an enabler for an older person who wants mobility without going to a super-heavy, super-expensive electric scooter or wheelchair and that’s cool.

Pros:

  • Much less expensive and much lighter weight than an electric scooter or personal mobility device, it looks more normal and can probably go a bit faster… it also gives you a workout and stretch :)
  • Very stable to mount and pedal with, the three wheel tricycle design makes the Tristar Hybrid handle well at lower speeds but be careful when turning sharp at high speed so as not to tip
  • The included steel fender and steel mesh basket add a lot of utility (if it rains and you need to get some groceries for example), I dislike riding with a backpack so the cargo bin is a huge win for me
  • The brakes feel solid and I like that you get both a hand brake and coaster brakes that activate by pedaling backwards for half a revolution, they work well for people with weaker hand strength and limited coordination
  • The model I tested had an internally geared three speed hub that made it easy to move loads or climb as well as pedal efficiently at higher speeds, you can shift it at standstill but the grip shifter felt tight due to the long cable so that required more effort
  • I like the gloss blue and silver paint job as it’s unisex and professional but there appear to be other colors including red which is nice, that model may not have the three speed drivetrain

Cons:

  • The motor isn’t very impressive at ~250 watts and the battery is also pretty small at 26.6 volts and 10 amp hours, they weigh less and are more efficient but don’t expect over 10 mph with a heavy load even on flats
  • With only five magnets on the cadence sensor this trike isn’t very responsive (newer ebike sensors have 12 magnets) and it appears that you have to press the trigger throttle while pedaling to get full power (without the throttle the motor barely helps at all and there aren’t different levels to choose from with assist, just the default)
  • You have to pedal in order to activate the throttle so starting from zero takes more leg muscle effort and really negates some of the value of having an ebike in my view, largely because the cadence sensor is so delayed
  • Compared with most traditional two-wheeled electric bikes the Torker Tristar etrike is heavy at ~81 lbs and that’s due to the extra wheels, basket and steel frame… though the steel also adds strength for larger riders
  • The battery has to be completely removed from the frame in order for it to be charged! This is a huge deal considering the pack is not easy to get on and off… requiring you to bend down and pull, hugely disappointing and something that will have to be done frequently
  • The keys have to be left in the battery pack while riding, this is less of a “con” than it normally would be because they stay out of the way and fold making them less likely to get snagged
  • The metal basket can be kind of sharp… I cut myself twice while adjusting the battery because I put one hand on the corner of the basket to push while pulling the battery out (since it’s tight)
  • Limited display readouts (just battery capacity) so you won’t know how far you’ve gone, how fast you’re going or other details but you could get a cheap aftermerket cycle computer for those details

Resources:

Review Updated On

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